Wedge type clamping rim for containers



Sept. 10, 1963 L. BEUTLER WEDGE TYPE CLAMPING RIM FOR CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 9, 1961 United States Paten 3,103,293 I WEDGE TYPE CLAMPIN G RIM FOR CONTAINERS Leonard Beutler, 171 Brook St, Elgin, Ill.

Filed Oct. 9, 1961, Ser. No. 143,683

6 Claims. (Cl. 220-46) drawing it down tightly in sealing relation with the use of ice Patented Sept. 10, 1963 7 FIGURE 6 is an enlarged detail view of a clamping an I rangement for a sealing rim; and

I FIGURE 7 is a plan view showing a sealing and clamping ring and clamping device in position for attachment to acover and container. 'lReferring now to the drawings, a conventional type barrel or container is generally designated by the reference character 10. The container 10 comprises .a bottom 11 and a cylindrical body 12 which at its upper end includes an outwardly extending 'circumferentially extendingpor annular bead-14 having an upper edge 15.

A cover for the container or barrel 10 is designated at 16 and includes an annular arcuate shaped outer circumferential bead designated at 17. A split ring or sealing and clamping rim is designated .at and comprises an annular body 21 having an outer flat vertical portion 22.

a split ring having clamping provisions for drawing the ring together to seal the container and cover. Various types of split rings have been used for this purpose, some of which include arcuate cross sectional bodies or V- shaped bodies which attempt to force the cover downwardly against the split ring. Most of these haveproved unsatisfactory since for them to function the cover must be first forced downwardly by a machine or fixturefipr'ior to the attachment of the rings since these rings of various shapes have not been able to function in initially clamp ing the cover firmly against the bead of the container. Other rims have been of a construction wherein a great amount of pressure is exerted on the sides of the container without any effective drawingtogether of the cover and seal and thus providing a very unsatisfactory construction. Thus, it is a prime object of this invention to provide an improved sealing rim for effectively sealing a cover to a container and to eliminate the disadvantages inherent in rims now used. 1 y

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved split type sealing rim for connecting a cover to a container in sealing relation, the said rim including positive and eifective means for drawing the cover and the bead of the container in sealing relation.

Another object is to provide an improved split type sealing rim for a cover and container, the said rim including an improved wedge arrangement to effectuate drawing of the cover against the head of the container.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide'an' improved split type rim for a cover and container, the said rim having a lower horizontally extending flange including 'a resilient V-shaped lip which resiliently exerts a force to draw the cover downwardly upon the head of the container in sealing relation during the assembly of the rim with the container. I

These and other objects will become more readily apparent from a reading of the description when examined in connection with the accompanying sheet of drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of upper .and lower portions of a container embodying an improved split type sealing or clamping rim;

said container 10.

A lower wedge element is generally designated at 23 and includes an annular flange 24 extending inwardly towards A wedge lip 25 is connected to the innermost peripheral edge of the flange 24, the said lip V 25 extending upwardly and outwardly relative to the container toward the vertical portion 22. Since the rim 20 is made of arelatively strong metal, the wedge lip 25 is stiff and in effect provides a resiliency in connecting the rim as will be further described. The rim-20 also is provided at itsupper-end with an annular upper flange or wedge element 26 extending inwardly above the bead 17 in the assembled condition as shown in FIGURE 4. The upper flange 26 also includes "a bent-over reinforcing fold 27 to further strengthen the said upper flange 26. A conventional resilientring seal is designated at 28 and is positioned on the upper edge 15 between the head 14 andthe bead 17.

The split ring 20'may be secured in position by means of a conventional clamp generally designated at 29.

While dilfe-rent types otf clamps may be utilized, it is felt that this particular clamp is Ieifective to secure the excellent Wedging characteristics al'fordedby the wedge lip 25. The clamp 29 comprises a link 30 which is pivotally connected to a bracket 31 securelyfastened to the flat vertical portion 22 of the rim 20. The link '30 is pivotally connected to an arm 32 which in turn is pivotally connected as" indicated at 33 to a bracket 34 fiastened to the vertical portion 22. The clamp 29* also includes a lower-horizontal flange 35 on the arm 3-2 which in the closed position is disposed in engagement underneath the annular flange .24 as best shown in FIGURE 6. The flange 3 5 'has a downwardly extending lip 36. :'Ilhe arm 32 also is provided at its front'endas shown in FIGURE G with a recessed portion 37. I v

A'hinged lock member 38, as shown in FIGURE 6, is pivotally connected at 39 to the vertical portion 22 and includes'a lip 40 having an opening 42 adapted to mate FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary plan view of a container and sealing and clamping rim;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross sectional viewtaken substantially along the line 33 of FIGURE 2 showing a rim assembled in sealing condition with respect to a with an opening 43 in the lip'36 when the member 38 is moved into the position shown in FIGURES whereby a suitable lock or key may be inserted through the, openings 42 and 43 to securely lock the rim in position. in the event that the lips 40* and 36 are not locked together, a resilient tab "41 seats within the recess 37 to maintain the lock'member 38 in closed position In assembly the rim 20* is placed around the cover 16 as shown in FIGURE 17 with the arm 32 in the position shown in FIGURE 7. By pivoting theq arm 32 clockwise, the split ends of the nim20 are drawn together whereupon the wedge lip 25 engages the underneath portion of the bead 14 and simultaneously the upper wedge flange 26 engages the upper edge of the circumferential bead 17 of the cover whereupon the cover is tightly drawndown over the head 14 as shown in FIGURE '3."'-The sealing ring 28 is thus tightly clamped between the bead 14 and the bead '17. The, lip

25 is a resilient wedge lip in that it exerts a continuing 3 resilient pressure urging the parts in the position shown in FIGURE 3. Thus the wedge lip 25 effectively brings the cover seal and bead of the container togetherin sealing relation without the necessity of 'utilizing prior compressing fixtures or machines. In other Words, the rim itself providw the means whereby the cover and container are drawn toward each other in tight sealing relation. This sealing relation is constantly maintained during the use of the container since the lip 25 maintains a continuing pressure urging the parts in the assembly shown in FIGURE 3.

Thus the objects of the invention have been fully,

achieved and it must be understood that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as disclosed or from thereof as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

II. For a cylindrical container having an upper open end, a bead extending circumferentially about said container adjacent said open end, a cover for said open end, said cover having, an outer circumferentially extending portion of generally arcuate cross sectional shape radially of the container and adapted to overlie a portion of said cylindrical bead, and a resilient ring seal between said rim and said bead; a securing rim for said cover and container comprising an annular split type body having a generally vertical portion disposed outwardly of said bead and extending circumferentially thereabout, said vertical portion having an outer cylindrical surface, a lower wedge element connected to said vertical portion, said lower wedge element including an annular flange extending inwardly toward said container underneath said cylindrical bead, an annular Wedge lip connected to the innermost end of said flange and being disposed between said flange and said head, said lip projecting outwardly relative to said container and upwardly relative to said flange in radially cross sectional V-sl1aped relation, an annular upper wedge element connected to said vertical portion, said annular upper wedge projecting in radial cross section upwardly from said vertical portion and inwardly toward said container, and a clamp connected to the outer fiat surface of said vertical portion adjacent the split of said body, for tightening said rim whereby said lower wedge lip engages said bead and said upper wedge element engages said arcuate portion of said cover to clamp said cover on said bead in sealing relation.

2. For a cylindrical container having an upper open end, a bead extending circumferentially about said container adjacent said open end, a cover for said open end,

said cover having an outer circumferentially extending portion of generally arcuate cross sectional shape radially of the container and adapted to overlie a portion of said cylindrical bead, and a resilient ring seal between said rim and said bead; a securing rim for said cover and container comprising an annular split type body having a generally vertical portion disposed outwardly of said bead and extending circumferentially thereabout, said vertical portion having an outer cylindrical surface, a lower wedge element connected to said vertical portion, said lower wedge element including an annular flange extending inwardly toward said container underneath said cylindrical bead, an annular flexible wedge lip connected to the innermost end of said flange and disposed between said flange and said bead, said lip projecting in radial cross sectionoutwardly relative to said container and angular-1y upwardly relative to said flange, an annular upper wedge element connected to said vertical portion, said annular upper wedge projecting in radial cross section upwardly from said vertical portion and inwardly toward said container, and a clamp connected to the outer flart surface of said vertical portion adjacent the split of said body for tightening said rim whereby said lower wedge lip engages said bead and said upper wedge element engages said arcuate portion of said cover to clamp said cover on said bead in sealing relation.

3. For a cylindrical container having an upper open end, a bead extending circunrferentially about said container adjacent said open end, a cover for said open end, said cover having an outer circumierentially extending portion of generally arcuate cross sectional shape radially of the container and adapted to overlie a portion of said cylindrical heads; a securing rim for said cover and container comprising an annular split type body having a generally vertical portion disposed outwardly of said head and extending circumferentially thereabout, a lower wedge element connected to said vertical portion, said lower Wedge element including 'an annular flange extendinginwardly toward said container underneath said cylindrical bead, an annular flexible wedge lip connected to the innermost end oi said flange and disposed between said flange and said bead, said lip projecting in radial cross section outwardly relative to said container and angularly upwardly relative to said flange, an annular upper wedge element connected to said vertical portion, said annular upper wedge in radial cross section projecting inwardly toward said container and a clamp connected to said vertical portion adjacent the split of said body, for tightening said rim whereby said lower wedge lip engages said bead and said upper wedge element engages said arcuate portion of said cover to clamp said cover on said bead in sealing relation.

' 4. For a cylindrical container having an upper open end, a bead extending circumferentially about said container adjacent said open end, and a cover for said open end, said cover having an outer circumlfierentially extending portion adapted to overlie "a portion of said cylindrical bead; a securing rim for said cover and container comprising an annular split type body having a generally vertical portion disposed outwardly of said bead and extending circumferentially thereabout, a lower wedge element connected to said vertical portion, said lower wedge element including an annular flange extending inwardly toward said container underneath said cylindrical bead, an annular flexible wedge lip connected to the innermost end of said flange and being disposed between said flange and said bead, said lip projecting in radial cross section outwardly relative to said container land angularly upwardly relative to said flange, an annular upper wedge element connected to said vertical portion, said annular upper wedge projecting in radial cross section inwardly toward said container and a clamp connected to said vertical portion adjacent the split of said body, for tightening said rim whereby said lower wedge lip engages said head and said upper wedge element engages said 'arcuazte portion of said cover to clamp said cover on said bead in sealing relation.

5. For a cylindrical container having an upper open end, a bead extending cincumferentially about said container adjacent said open end, and a cover for said open end, said cover having an outer circumferentially extending portion adapted to overlie a portion of said cylindrical bead; a securing rirn for said cover and container comprising an annular split type body disposed outwardly of said bead and extending circumferentially thereabout, a lower wedge element connected to said body, said lower wedge element including an annular flange extending inwardly toward said container underneath said cylindrical bead, an annular flexible wedge lip connected to the innermost end of said flange and being disposed between said flange and said head, said lip projecting in radial cross section outwardly relative to said container and angularly upwardly relative to said flange in V-shaped relation, an

annular upper wedge element connected to said body, said annular upperwedge projecting in radial cross section inwardly toward said container, and a clamp connected to said body adjacent the split of said body, for tightening said rim whereby said lower wedge lip engages said bead and said upper wedge element engages said arcuate portion of said cover to clamp said cover on said bead in sealing relation.

6. For a cylindrical container having an upper open end, 'a bead of circular radially cross section extending eircumferentially about said container adjacent said open end, and a cover for said 'open end, said cover having an outer circumferentially extending portion adapted to overlie a portion of said cylindnical bead; a securing rim comprising a split ring having an outer vertical side, an annulam upper flange connected to the upper portion of said vertical side and in radial cross-section projecting inwardly and engaging the circumferential portion of said cover, a lower Wedge element connected to the lower portion of said vertical side comprising an annular inwardly extending lower flange disposed below said head, wedge means on said lower flange disposed between the lower flange and said head, said wedge means comprising an References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,075,383 Vaughn Man. 30, 1937 2,108,944 R'heem Feb. 22, 1938 2,237,952 Smith Apr. 8, 1941 2,579,974 Scott et a1 Dec. 25, 1951 2,773,709 Smith Dec. 11, 1956 2,773,710 Smith Dec. 11, 1956 

1. FOR A CYLINDRICAL CONTAINER HAVING AN UPPER OPEN END, A BEAD EXTENDING CIRCUMFERENTIALLY ABOUT SAID CONTAINER ADJACENT SAID OPEN END, A COVER FOR SAID OPEN END, SAID COVER HAVING, AN OUTER CIRCUMFERENTIALLY EXTENDING PORTION OF GENERALLY ARCUATE CROSS SECTIONAL SHAPE RADIALLY OF THE CONTAINER AND ADAPTED TO OVERLIE A PORTION OF SAID CYLINDRICAL BEAD, AND A RESILIENT RING SEAL BETWEEN SAID RIM AND SAID BEAD; A SECURING RIM FOR SAID COVER AND CONTAINER COMPRISING AN ANNULAR SPLIT TYPE BODY HAVING A GENERALLY VERTICAL PORTION DISPOSED OUTWARDLY OF SAID BEAD AND EXTENDING CIRCUMFERENTIALLY THEREABOUT, SAID VERTICAL PORTION HAVING AN OUTER CYLINDRICAL SURFACE, A LOWER WEDGE ELEMENT CONNECTED TO SAID VERTICAL PORTION, SAID LOWER WEDGE ELEMENT INCLUDING AN ANNULAR FLANGE EXTENDING INWARDLY TOWARD SAID CONTAINER UNDERNEATH SAID CYLINDRICAL BEAD, AN ANNULAR WEDGE LIP CONNECTED TO THE INNERMOST END OF SAID FLANGE AND BEING DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID FLANGE AND SAID BEAD, SAID LIP PROJECTING OUTWARDLY RELATIVE TO SAID CONTAINER AND UPWARDLY RELATIVE TO SAID FLANGE IN RADIALLY CROSS SECTIONAL V-SHAPED RELATION, AN ANNULAR UPPER WEDGE ELEMENT CONNECTED TO SAID VERTICAL PORTION, SAID ANNULAR UPPER WEDGE PROJECTING IN RADIAL CROSS SECTION UPWARDLY FROM SAID VERTICAL PORTION AND INWARDLY TOWARD SAID CONTAINER, AND A CLAMP CONNECTED TO THE OUTER FLAT SURFACE OF SAID VERTICAL PORTION ADJACENT THE SPLIT OF SAID BODY, FOR TIGHTENING SAID RIM WHEREBY SAID LOWER WEDGE LIP ENGAGES SAID BEAD AND SAID UPPER WEDGE ELEMENT ENGAGES SAID ARCUATE PORTION OF SAID COVER TO CLAMP SAID COVER ON SAID BEAD IN SEALING RELATION. 